WASHINGTON, April 20 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says while today’s average salt intake is too high, it is not ready to regulate the amount of sodium contained in foods.

“Today’s average sodium intake is several times what the body requires and its long-term effect on our health is very serious,” the agency said in a statement. “A new report from the Institute of Medicine this week concludes national action is imperative to reduce the sodium content of foods if we are to make significant progress toward reducing the risk of hypertension and major cardiovascular events for Americans.”

But the FDA said a story Tuesday in The Washington Post “leaves a mistaken impression that the FDA has begun the process of regulating the amount of sodium in foods.”

FDA officials said they are not currently working on such regulations, nor have they yet made a decision to regulate sodium content in foods.

“Over the coming weeks, the FDA will more thoroughly review the recommendations of the IOM report and build plans for how the FDA can continue to work with other federal agencies, public health and consumer groups and the food industry to support the reduction of sodium levels in the food supply,” the agency said.

“We are encouraged by the fact that some food manufacturers have already begun or announced their commitment to reduce sodium levels in their products,” officials said.